This 3 days Murchison Falls safari package is arguably one of the most popular in Uganda. The tour takes you to the largest national park in Uganda for an amazing encounter with Africa’s famous creatures. Murchison Falls National park is located in the northern part of Uganda – about six hours drive away from the capital Kampala. The park was established in 1926 but by then it had already been explored by John Speke and James Grant in 1862. Sir Samuel Baker and his wife Florence Baker also explored the park between 1863 to 1864. It was Sir Samuel Baker who named it Murchison Falls National park after the President of the Royal Geographical society, Roderick Murchison.
Murchison Falls National park is known globally as a big game destination and offers tourists an opportunity to spot the big 5 mammals like lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and white Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The park is also home to giraffes, hyenas, warthogs, hippos, elands and so many more. We should not forget to mention that the river Nile cuts through the park leaving behind the Amazing Murchison falls and Karuma waterfalls. The river Nile is the longest river in the world. As it enters the park, it is forced to squeeze through a narrow gorge hence creating one of the most powerful waterfalls in Africa. The sight is breathtaking and millions of tourists have visited the park in the last decade just to take photos of themselves at the top of the falls.
The Murchison falls national park is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. It is one of the few sanctuaries for the rare and elusive shoebill stork. Murchison Falls is also home to chimpanzees and they can be tracked at the Budongo or Kaniyo Pabidi forest. A safari to Murchison falls national park will reward you with amazing scenery and wildlife. You will also get to experience the Nile in a very special way. You might want to read about our 2 days Murchison Falls safari package or the 3 days Queen Elizabeth tour package. We even have the 4 days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari and the 5 days Murchison falls tour package for those who are interested in more time to explore the park.
Tour Highlights
- Hike to the top of the falls
- Tracking while Rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drive
- Boat cruise along the Nile
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Our driver will pick you up early in the morning to begin the 5-hour journey to the Murchison Falls National Park. While on the road, you will have some stopovers in some of the towns to stretch and get some refreshments. As you reach Nakasongola district, you will branch off to visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for about 2 hours. While at the sanctuary, you will be taken to track Uganda’s last rhinos. Rhinos are now extinct in Uganda’s national parks because of poaching. The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary has about 20 individuals and there is a plan to re-introduce them to some of Uganda’s national parks. It is a very large sanctuary with animals like antelopes, crocodiles, small primates and birds like the shoebill 
stork. Rhinos are very unpredictable and you are safer watching them from a distance. The Rangers will share information about everything there is to know about mammals and what is being done to protect them around the world. After tracking the rhinos, you will be taken for lunch at the sanctuary restaurant or when you get to Masindi town. Once you enter the park, the Driver will take you straight to visit the top of Murchison Falls. Take as many photos as you can and watch in awe as the Nile forces its way to Egypt.
Accommodation: Nile safari Lodge/Paraa safari lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range) and Red Chilli rest camp/Heritage Lodge (Budget).
Day 2: Game drive – Launch Cruise – Walking from bottom to the top of the falls
Wake up early in the morning for breakfast and wait for the driver to take you for an early morning game drive in the northern sector of the park (Bugili and Nyamsiki game track). The two tracks have the highest concentration of wildlife in the park. You will spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthog, eland, Uganda kobs, giraffes, hyena, olive baboons and a variety of bird species. The shoebill stork is the bird to look out for and can be sighted on the swampy grasslands on the shores of the Nile. The game drive will take between 3 to 4 hours after which, you will drive back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go for a boat ride along the Albert Nile. While on the boat, expect to encounter various aquatic animals like crocodiles, hippos and waterbucks. The birds to look out for are the marabou storks, flamingos, egrets, cranes, fish peckers and eagles. There are also land mammals like elephants and buffaloes drinking/bathing in the water. After enjoying the Nile river cruise for 2 to 3 hours, you will get out of the boat at the bottom of the Murchison Falls and walk to the top where you will find our Driver/Guide waiting to take you back to the lodge.
Accommodation: Nile safari Lodge/Paraa safari lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range) and Red Chilli rest camp/Heritage Lodge (Budget).
Day 3: Return to Kampala
Since this is the last day of the safari, you should wake up at your own time taking into consideration your program for the day. If you have a flight late in the evening or night, you might want to set off earlier. The driver could take you for more photos at the top of the falls before beginning the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.
End of Safari tour
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
The 3 days Murchison falls safari includes: –
- Park entrance fees,
- Ferry crossing
- Ground transportation with fuel
- Rhino tracking fees
- Boat ride fees
- Safari lodge expenses
- A Park guide
- A Driver and tour Van with opening roof for viewing wildlife
- Meals and water when traveling or out for activities
Exclusions: Air tickets, Visas fees, Health and travel insurance. The tour cost also excludes personal expenses like those on tips, wines, laundry services and souvenirs.
Accommodation
Nile Safari Lodge: Nile Safari Lodge was established in 1993 but was revamped more recently turning it into one of the best luxury lodges in Murchison Falls National Park. The lodge was constructed 
overlooking the Nile hence offering amazing scenery and cool air for those who are lucky to call it home for a day or two. The rooms are constructed in form of bandas with everything that you would expect from a luxury lodge. There are 6 standard bandas and a special family banda with more space. Nile Safari Lodge has a large swimming pool for all residents and is the go to place after a long day of wildlife viewing. The lodge has some of the best local chefs who will prepare both international and local dishes. If you are looking for a high quality lodge with all the comfort you need, then this is the place to be.
Parkside Safari Lodge: This is mid-range accommodation facility is built 2 kilometers away from the Tangi gate which is very close to the banks of the Albert Nile. It is a high quality mid-range lodge with self-contained and spacious rooms. Each chalet has a shower, modern toilets and a balcony with beautiful views of the Nile. Animals such as elephants, hippos and birds can be seen loitering or drinking 
water on the banks of the river Nile. The lodge also has bar and restaurant with very friendly staff. Parkside Safari lodge is an excellent lodge for guest who are may not have the budget for the luxury lodges but still want something of quality.
Heritage Safari Lodge: This lodge is built in the northern sector of the park, a few miles away from Tangi gate. It is an accommodation facility which welcomes all guests by offering budget, mid-range and luxury cottages. They even have tents for backpackers at a very affordable fee. Some of the rooms are built to look like traditional Acholi huts. The Acholi are the dominant tribe in the area and many are employed by the hotels around the park. The luxury and standard cottages are self-contained but the tents have shared bathrooms and toilets. Heritage Safari Lodge also offers great views of the River Nile and frequent sights of animals like elephants or hippos from their balconies. Late in the afternoon, guests are entertained by Acholi traditional dance performers.
